Explicit suicide scene leads Quebec school board to cancel film screenings

Students in Quebec's Eastern Townships won'tbe going on a field trip to the movie theatre to watch Yan England's new film1:54, after public health and local suicide prevention organizations warned that it contains an explicit suicide scene.

TheVal-des-CerfsSchool Board cancelled thefield tripfor a total of 600 students, after school boards in the region were warned about the scene.

"[Teachers] have a responsibility to protect their students," said Tania Boilar of Jevi, a suicide prevention organization in the Eastern Townships. "They have a responsibility that they don't have in the outside world."

The Quebec director's first feature film revolves around a shy, naturally athletic but off-beat 16-year-old boy named Tim, who is relentlessly bullied at the hands of his peers.

The film tackles issues of depression, stress, bullying and suicide among teens. Since its release in October, it has made over $1 million at the Quebecbox office.

• 'It scares the crap out of me,' school counsellor worried not enough support for northern teen suicides

'Made to be in theatres, not classrooms'

Boilar said the suicide scene, as well as a lack of a support system around the main character as he experiences bullying and depression, make the film inappropriate to use as an educational tool.

"If [the main character] had asked for help, for example, it would have made the movie different. If the friends of the student were there for him, if there were teachers around, it would have made a difference," said Boilar.

But she didn't condemnthe film as a work of artby England, whowas nominated for an Oscar in 2013 for his short film, Henry.

"The film was created to be a movie and a good movie. It was made to be in theatres and not necessarily in classrooms," said Boilar.

For the head of public health in the region, Dr. Melissa Gnreux, using thefilm as anintroduction to difficult conversations about bullying and suicide might do more harm than good.

"It's been well proven that exposing youth to an explicit suicide scene, especially if it isn'tin a very controlled environment, can have harmful effects on kids who were already more vulnerable or who had suicidal tendencies," Gnreuxsaid in an interview with Radio-Canada.

• School board ordered to pay damages to former student over bullying

School board heedsrecommendations

Val-des-Cerfs was one of many school boards warned bythe regional public health agency. The board cancelled the cinema trips multiple outings for multiple group of students over the weekend. They'llbe replaced by a free activity at the schools.

The school board's director general, ric Racine, told Radio-Canada thatthecancellation for coleSecondaire Massey-Vanierstudentswasdue to a lack of pedagogical resources to frame the discussion of the film.

"The issue of bullying is very well represented. The issue comes from the suicide scenes that worry us," said Racine. "I would rather be too careful than not careful enough."

The Quebec Education Ministry had previously voiced concerns over the film's use in a classroom setting. It underlined the importance of teachers being equipped to properly frame the discussions that would stem from watching the film.

Neither the film's director nor producers could be reached for comment.

• Facebook'ssuicide prevention tool and an app for crisis alerts

Where to get help

Kids Help Phone:1-800-668-6868 (phone), Live Chat counselling atwww.kidshelpphone.ca

Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention:Find a24-hour crisis centre

If you're worried someone you know may be at risk of suicide, you should talk to them,says theCanadian Association of Suicide Prevention.Here aresomewarning signs:

• Suicidal thoughts.
• Substance abuse.
• Purposelessness.
• Anxiety.
• Feeling trapped.
• Hopelessness and helplessness.
• Withdrawal.
• Anger.
• Recklessness.
• Mood changes.